10 Regular Habits That Have An Adverse Impact On Your Fertility

The
contentment of becoming parents effortlessly happens for some couples whereas for
some it is a difficult joy to achieve. Recent research says, one in six couples
will have issues with getting pregnant. If you are actively trying to conceive
or are not even thinking about babies yet, the small things you are doing now
can actually have a serious influence on your current and future reproductive
health. Everything right from lifestyle and diet to niggling little health
problems could be causing the delay.

1. Too Much Sleep

According to a study in the medical journal
Fertility Sterility, it’s noted that men who sleep for more than 9 hours a day
have lower fertility as compared to the ones who sleep between 7 to 8 hrs per
day. Even that extra hour in bed can cause the possible harm.

2. Having A Diet Rich In Processed Meats

A Harvard study suggests that heavy and daily eaters
of processed meat e.g. bacon, hotdogs, salami etc. have lower sperm
counts and higher risk of abnormal shaped sperm as compared to those who
consume less amount of processed meats. The possible cause could be
lowered testosterone levels in these men. Fish eaters on the other hand
tend to perform much better as the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are beneficial
for healthy sperm production.

3. Addicted To Aeriated Drinks

Excess intake of aeriated drinks results in poorer
sperm motility in men, as compared to those who stay away from them. This is
due to the high sugar content, feeding into obesity, that leads to hormonal
imbalance thus affecting the sperm. Also, excess fat tissue in the groin keeps
the area warmer and this excess heat affects the sperm quantity and quality.

4. Cell Phone In Pockets

Cell phones emit radiation and
heat; this can not only affect the count and motility but also result in DNA
damage of the sperm. It will be worthwhile to make the use of headsets or keep
your phones in the bag or on the desk instead.

5. Being A Vegan On Soy

If you are a vegan and on a Soya bean rich diet,
you will have poorer total sperm count as compared to those who don’t have soy
at all. Soy is a rich source of phytoestrogens i.e. plant derived oestrogen,
which is a female hormone. Higher oestrogen levels can hamper sperm production.

6. Smoking

According to a research,
infertility is two times more common in both male and female smokers as
compared to non-smokers. In women the transfer of eggs and sperm through the
fallopian tube is affected as well as the transport of the fertilized egg back
to the womb. Also, smoking reduces the blood flow to the womb affecting the implantation
and subsequent growth of an embryo thus causing miscarriage. In men, the DNA of
the sperm is affected resulting in infertility issues. The risk exists in
passive smokers too.

7. Coffee And Tea

Caffeine and tannin are
associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Excessive intake of coffee by
a would be mother can have adverse effects on the infant’s growth resulting in
early miscarriages. This effect is dose-related and heavy tea/coffee intake is
therefore unadvisable. Two shots of espresso a day can reduce a man’s fertility
and increase DNA fragmentation of the sperm.

8. Gyms, Spas And Bike Rides

It is all to do with the
temperature of the testicles and sperms. In warmer climes, the scrotal
temperature rises, the biochemistry of the sperm is harmed and the quantity,
swimming capacity and DNA integrity of the sperm is affected. When planning for
a family, it is best to avoid hot baths, saunas or steam baths. Also, one
should avoid keeping laptops on lap whilst working. All these things will lead
to increasing problems in conceiving. Negative effects on sperm are also
markedly seen in men who spend much of their day in a sedentary position in a
warm environment. It is also advised that men should wear loose undergarments.

9. Excess Dieting

Being too thin affects fertility.
The hormone Leptin controls hunger and feeling of satiety. Women with low
levels of leptin have less body fat. Hormones that control fertility are
metabolised in the fat tissue. Hence, thin women suffer from menstrual
irregularities and irregular ovulation causing problems in conceiving. It is
recommended that women should maintain a balanced diet which is vital for
conceiving. Extreme dieting also causes nutrient deficiencies and this further
creates a non-conducive environment for conception.

10. Alcohol

Heavy drinkers are more likely at a risk and might require fertility treatments. In men, alcohol affects the quality of sperm and also increases the risk of DNA fragmentation of the sperm. Continuous consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage which leads to foetal alcohol syndrome and develop abnormalities in the baby.

Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter Now!

Advertise with Us

Women Fitness

Women Fitness believes that every woman can achieve her desired body if she believes in herself and works wholeheartedly to achieve a healthy and fit body. Our mission is to support each woman to achieve their goal.